If you’ve ever had BV, thrush, or both in a frustrating cycle, you’re not alone. Vaginal infections are common and they’re rarely about hygiene or bad luck. The real story lies much deeper, in the balance of your vaginal microbiome. At the heart of it all: Lactobacilli – the protective bacteria working to keep things stable. In this article, we explore what lactobacilli actually do, what disrupts them, and how you can support them, so they can protect your vaginal health.
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If you’ve ever had BV, thrush, or both in a frustrating cycle, you’re not alone. Vaginal infections are common and they’re rarely about hygiene or bad luck. The real story lies much deeper, in the balance of your vaginal microbiome. At the heart of it all: Lactobacilli – the protective bacteria working to keep things stable. In this article, we explore what lactobacilli actually do, what disrupts them, and how you can support them, so they can protect your vaginal health.
Lactobacilli are the natural protectors of your vaginal microbiome. They’re often described as the “good bacteria”, which doesn’t quite do them justice. Lactobacilli actively work behind the scenes to keep infections in check and your vaginal health on track.
Here’s what they do:
When lactobacilli are thriving, your vaginal microbiome stays more resilient – even when life throws in the usual disruptors like hormones, sex or antibiotics.
Vaginal microbiomes aren’t one-size-fits-all, they’re unique – but in general, a healthy one is:
Researchers have begun to group vaginal microbiomes into different “community state types” (CSTs), also known as vaginotypes:
It’s worth noting that not everyone has a lactobacillus-dominant microbiome. Type 4 is more common in Black and Hispanic women, even without symptoms. That doesn’t make them unhealthy, it’s just a reminder that vaginal health looks different for everyone.
Your vaginal microbiome is sensitive. Even when you’re feeling fine, small changes can quietly shift the balance. Knowing what affects your microbiome is an important step towards understanding your body and feeling more in control.
Some of the most common disruptors include:
It’s rarely just one trigger. Often, symptoms appear after a combination of factors, like taking antibiotics right before your period, or starting a new contraceptive method when your body is already run down.
When lactobacilli levels drop, your defences weaken. This allows harmful microbes to take over, a state known as dysbiosis.
Common signs include:
The impact of dysbiosis can go beyond everyday symptoms. Research shows that a low-lactobacilli vaginal microbiome may also increase the risk of:
This is why restoring and protecting your microbiome matters – not just to treat symptoms, but to protect your wider, long-term health.
Yes. And it can be a crucial step toward breaking the cycle of repeat infections. The best approach depends on your symptoms, health history, and what triggered the disruption in the first place. While there’s no single fix, science is starting to uncover what really helps lactobacilli thrive again.
Your vaginal microbiome is constantly changing and adapting, shaped by hormones, health choices and everyday life. Lactobacilli are at the heart of it all, quietly doing the work to keep things balanced.
We know just how common repeat vaginal infections are – and how often the usual treatments fail to address the root cause, leaving women confused about what’s happening in their own bodies.
Restoring balance isn’t a quick fix. It’s about choosing treatments and habits that protect your microbiome, not disrupt it. That’s why at UVISA, we’re focused on solutions that support your body’s natural defences, so lactobacilli can keep doing what they do best.
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